Tennis Warehouse Playtest: 2016 Wilson Pro Staff RF 97 Autograph

[kingcheetah]

Yup people let their mind wonder...haha. They probably just got one off spec a little.

True. I have 4 that are 12.8oz-13.0 oz with strings and overgrips and pretty similar in balance that all play similarly. A 13 oz one with closer to even balance was quite different.

 

[Sundan]

Or maybe QC is all over the place, since Wilson says it's the very same frame with a different paintjob.

There was a tv show with Mats Wilander a while back here in sweden and he told a story about his racquet of choice , the manufacter upgraded it with a new paintjob and after that he couldnt play backhands anymore in the same way, something changed with the different paint. He told them to make after his specs again but they said they are, "we just changed the colors".

 

[movdqa]

Delete

 

[Anton]

They're identical. If there was a change to the layup, you know Wilson would be advertising the "improvement"-- only difference I could tell between the 14s I have vs the new one was that the new one felt like a new racquet vs one that's been strung 25 times.

There was no change in lay up, but the paint is different and there is silicone in the handle, not foam.

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

There was no change in lay up, but the paint is different and there is silicone in the handle, not foam.

There's foam in the handle, just like the previous generation.

There's also the possibly of having silicone in the handle, just. like. the. previous. generation.

 

[Soul_Evisceration]

IMO the new one is way way more maneuverable and easier to play with. You should def demo and I'd suggest going one grip size lower than what your previous RF97 had.

Oh I have tried the new RF97A and I like it more than the original RF97A even though people tell me it's the same just Wilson Quality Control sucks and whatnot.

Thus far, I have not found a better racquet.

Although the hype behind the Pure Strike Project 17 and the Yonex SV95/98 sounds intriguing as well.

 

[ThirdEye]

Oh I have tried the new RF97A and I like it more than the original RF97A even though people tell me it's the same just Wilson Quality Control sucks and whatnot.

Thus far, I have not found a better racquet.

Although the hype behind the Pure Strike Project 17 and the Yonex SV95/98 sounds intriguing as well.

Different racquets altogether. However, what are the differences you found between the old RFA and the new black one? Except for the paint, of course.

 

[Soul_Evisceration]

Different racquets altogether. However, what are the differences you found between the old RFA and the new black one? Except for the paint, of course.

For my personal experience, it feels more solid and maneuverable especially on the one hand backhand while retaining the same power while the 2014 one seems a little more bulkier.

It's hard to explain but the miniscule differences made me tempt to finally switch.

I doubt the other racquets will be in the same ballpark and conversation as the RF97A but I have to admit that the hype those racquets are getting is interesting.

 

[moon shot]

@Shroud I seem to remember you had done something along the lines of weighing the top and bottom ends of the racquet with the other end supported. What was the use of that? Was it for something roughly along the lines of swingweight?

 

[pfrischmann]

APD isn't know for accommodating that. The vast majority of players that I see using the APD have heavy spin serves with Nadal as the best example.

I have a Pure Drive Roddick that was good on flat serves - maybe it had more weight at 3/9. I think that smaller headsizes are better for flat serves too.

BHBH used one of my YT PMPs for fooling around and it was an absolute monster for me on flat serves. 27.75 inches and 390 swingweight.

Agree on the APD, I have always had trouble getting depth on the APD. I consider it more of a singles stick for me, at least in stock form. The tip of the racquet doesn't move through like a pro-staff or Angell. However, when you add weight to the tip, it quickly loses the super dipping effect that makes it such a formidable ground-stroker. I always felt it was harder to hold my serve with the APD unless I try to spin the guy off the court (I'm a lefty). Much less free points than I could get with my Angell TC-100.

 

[movdqa]

Agree on the APD, I have always had trouble getting depth on the APD. I consider it more of a singles stick for me, at least in stock form. The tip of the racquet doesn't move through like a pro-staff or Angell. However, when you add weight to the tip, it quickly loses the super dipping effect that makes it such a formidable ground-stroker. I always felt it was harder to hold my serve with the APD unless I try to spin the guy off the court (I'm a lefty). Much less free points than I could get with my Angell TC-100.

I only started with lead at 12 after trying the stiffer racquets 7 years ago.

 

[asifallasleep]

For my personal experience, it feels more solid and maneuverable especially on the one hand backhand while retaining the same power while the 2014 one seems a little more bulkier.

It's hard to explain but the miniscule differences made me tempt to finally switch.

I doubt the other racquets will be in the same ballpark and conversation as the RF97A but I have to admit that the hype those racquets are getting is interesting.

IMO if you can use the new RF97, and you really like it, there is nothing that will compare. I've tried some of the newer frames that have been well received, and with it's unique qualities, the RF97 stands alone. I think Wilson has addressed the clubby feel and maneuverability issues with this new iteration, albeit they haven't publicly stated so, but this new frame is far more than a paint job. Just read all the reviews.

 

[pfrischmann]

I think it's luck of the draw. I had an RF-97 that had a SW of 318 strug IIRC. and another that was closer to 340 with the same strings.

 

[tennisfiles]

Wilson recently sent me 6 sticks to playtest, including this monster, all of which I reviewed on my podcast with a Wilson rep this week. The RF autograph is a beautiful racket, with a lot of visual details that you wouldn't see unless you carefully examined the frame.

This racquet is very solid but hefty. If you are used to a lighter frame like an aeropro then you will probably have trouble generating racquet head speed. My 220+lb friend loved this stick as he prefers heavier ones. I liked the RF autograph but need a slightly lighter racquet to make the most out of my whippy 5.0 game and sub-170 frame. I prefer the Blade 18x20 for a control and feel-oriented racquet with some pop. But this can be a great racquet for some of you stronger/bigger players out there.